Beautiful Egypt 207 – Have You Forsaken the Fear of God? – May 21, 2017

   In the previous article, we resumed talking about al-Mu’tasim until his death, as well as the country’s affairs during his tenure. We also spoke of his minister of Justice Ahmed bin Dawoud al-Ayyadi who was so close to al-Mu’tasim that the latter did nothing without his counsel. Then, we tackled Egypt’s conditions under al-Mudhafar bin Kaydar and Mussa bin al-Abbas who was Ashnas’s deputy for four years and seven months. He was succeeded by Malik bin Kaydar.

Malik bin Kaydar (224-226 Hijri) (839-841 A.D.)

   He was Kaydar’s son. His father ruled Egypt after Abu Ja’far Ashnas had deposed Mussa bin Abul Abbas. Concerning tax collection, the Caliph used to appoint an official in this post. Historians assert, “He was a sensible prince, adept politician, respectable personality, and charitable. He worked for several caliphs, and was a great prince and commander.” He ruled Egypt for about two years and a few days during which the Pisin betrayed al-Mu’tasim and the former was imprisoned. Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan province, which is located north western Iran was alighted upon by a terrible earthquake that lasted for several days, demolishing most of its buildings. He was succeeded Ali bin Yahya.

Ali bin Yahya the Armenian (226-228 Hijri) (841-843 A.D.)

   He was also known as Prince Abul Hassan the Armenian. He was also Ashnas’s deputy on Egypt. His tenure lasted until al-Mu’tasim’s death, to be succeeded by his son Harun al-Wathiq. No sooner than he got to know that al-Wathiq reaffirmed him proconsul than he deposed Eissa bin al-Mansur.

   He ruled Egypt for two years and a few months which were presumably three or eight. Historians assert that he strove to reform the country and oust the corrupt. Taghribirdi writes that Ali and Harun bin Abdullah al-Zahri, the minister of Justice conflicted to rule Egypt. So, al-Zahri was deposed, and judge Mohammed bin Abu al-Allaith al-Harith was appointed in his stead. Though he had been a judge for ten years, he was disreputable and unfair. Eissa bin Mansur took over Egypt’s affairs for a second time, to be succeeded by Ali bin Yahya.

   As for the Church’s affairs during al-Mu’tasim’s tenure, Pope Simon, the fifty-first patriarch, departed after a few months of his enthronement. Then, a debate happened about choosing the patriarch, thus, making St. Mark’s See vacant for quite a while. In effect, the congregation of Alexandria assembled to choose a patriarch. Yet, they wanted to violate the Church’s laws: for they were about to choose one of al-Fustat elites, Ishaq al-Said bin Anduna who was a rich, married man, and was close to Egypt’s rulers.

   Bin al-Muqaffa’ writes about him, “When the congregation of Alexandria found out how rich and renowned he was, they wrote him a letter, saying, ‘We cannot choose a patriarch, but you.” Then, Abba Zacharias, bishop of Usim, and Abba Tadros, bishop of the capital, went to him to inform him that he was chosen patriarch and asked him to write a letter to the priests and congregation of Alexandria, informing them of what he would do after his ordination, as building and restoring churches, granting the priests and congregation money and so on.

   No sooner had bin Anduna’s letter reached them, than they were lured, and wanted to ordain him patriarch, ignoring the fact that nobody acquires such a dignity except after a summons from God, and woe to whoever dares take what he is not entitled to: he will be take a double punishment.

   According to Severus bin al-Muqaffaʿs manuscript, some bishops disagreed with that opinion which contravened the Church’s laws. Among them was Abba Michael, bishop of Belbeis, Abba Michael, bishop of Sa, Abba Youhanna, bishops of Bana and many others. No sooner had they heard of what had become of the congregation of Alexandria than they made a council, then headed to Alexandria. They told the people, “Have you forsaken the fear of God and violated the laws to such an extent that you decided to enthrone a secular, married man on St. Mark’s See, which contravenes the customs and laws?” Thus, they stopped them from doing so.

   Then, it came to pass that there was a consensus on choosing monk Youssab of St. Maqar’s Monastery: for he was pious and charitable. Some bishops and priests from Alexandria went to bring him over and ordain him patriarch. On the way, they prayed, saying, “We ask You, O Lord, if You have chosen this monk for this rank, give us a sign. Make us find his door open when we reach him.”

   Upon reaching the monastery, they stood before priest Youssab’s cell door which was open and he was about to close it. So, they rejoiced, thanked God, and tied him, saying, “You are worthy of papacy!” On the other hand, he was weeping bitterly: for he counted himself unworthy of this dignity.

   Upon leaving the monastery on the following day, they heard a voice saying, “God will be with you, Youssab. He will strengthen you to endure the tribulations you undergo, and you will obtain the crown of life.” Therefore, they got to know that this blessed father will undergo great sorrows and tribulations.

   The bishops headed to the proconsul of Alexandria to inform him of their wish. Yet, he denied their request, demanding that they give him a thousand dinars against this! In fact, bin Anduna had promised to give him this sum upon his ordinance. Matters remained this way for several days, after which they told the proconsul they would not succumb to his order, and if he did not allow them to ordain a patriarch, they would go to al-Fustat to accomplish the mission there. Finding them adamant, he allowed them to ordain father Youssab patriarch, to be the fifty-second Pope (831 A.D.) He was contemporary to the last years of al-Ma’mun’s tenure, then to al-Mu’tasim’s and al-Wathiq’s tenures.

Pope Youssab (831-849 A.D.)

   Joseph (Youssab) was born in Menouf to a pious couple who left him a great wealth. After their departure, a mentor called Tadros, from Nikiou, adopted him. After a while, Youssab yearned to asceticism and monasticism. So, he informed mentor Tadros about his wish. Tadros sent him to Pope Mark with a letter containing his account. The Pope rejoiced and assigned a deacon his education. However, after a while, Youssab asked Pope Mark to allow him to go to the wilderness that he might lead a life of asceticism, prayer, and solitude, which the Pope approved of and sent him to St. Maqar’s Monastery. Yet, before going there, Youssab distributed all his money amongst the poor and needy, then headed to the wilderness to live for a while until he became patriarch. What a great story! Such stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.

General Bishop

Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center